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Etudes
1. Allegro
Orchestral Etude 2004-1 3:32
There must be a chase going on! If you listen carefully,
you should be able to hear two complete and separate sections of strings
dueling away, along with timpani, horn section, wordless choir, gong and
tubular bells sprinkled here and there.
2. Articulations and Textures
Orchestral Etude 2004-2 3:27
The challenge here was to explore various articulations
of 5-part strings (first violins, second violins, violas, celli and
double basses) with various bowing and attack methods. Contrasts galore
in a relatively abstract canon with eruptions of percussive tones.
3. Lush
Orchestral Etude 2004-3 5:36
A very slow-developing piece features strings with
trumpets, bassoons, timpani and gong. Very agitated at times, but it
finds its own peace in the end.
4. Melancolie non triste
Orchestral Etude 2004-4 3:37
The French (bless ‘em!) have a word for it: melancolie—as
distinct from “sad” (“triste”). This piece explores missed
opportunities, words not spoken and the consequences.
5. Strings and Flutes
Orchestral Etude 2004-5 4:15
Another “study” featuring many changes in the bowing and
plucking techniques of the strings section and some variations in tempo,
with a group of 3 tight flutes that float above it all (and attempt to
unify the changes in pulsing rhythms that insistently try to return
again and again).
6. Bangs, Rolls and Plucks
Orchestral Etude 2004-6 3:05
An exploration/study of exactly what the title
encompasses: instruments which are banged upon, rolled and plucked.
7. Conversation and Stroll
Orchestral Etude 2004-7 4:24
The opening of this piece came from experimenting with
“plangent” voices--notably a solo Cello and English Horn (accompanied by
quiet strings). When that section of the piece reached a natural
conclusion, I let the English Horn wander to find suitable base and came
upon the simple device of the joint timpani and snare drum roll to lead
us into the “stroll”. Although I don’t normally do (or suggest)
“programs” it’s as though two friends have been tossing about topics and
then just go for a walk together to end the afternoon.
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Trances
8. Journey
Symphonic Trance 2004-1 4:02
An insistent piano theme and a chance to high-light
French Horns, flutes strings and percussion.
9. Tutti
Symphonic Trance 2004-2 3:32
The objective for this piece was to assemble an orchestra
large enough to have “punch” on the full orchestral sequences (known in
the trade as “tutti”--meaning "everything"). So this is a relatively
short 3-part piece (opening / middle section / closing) that shows off
as many orchestral colors as possible within the predict-able rhythms of
"everything".
10. Challenges
Symphonic Trance 2004-3 3:06
Six repeats, 11 themes, explored (in the round).
11. Forest Murmurings
Symphonic Trance 2004-4 4:53
A loosely structured walk through a mostly still forest,
featuring a variety of solo and ensemble instruments
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Fantasies
12. Transitions
Orchestral Fantasy 2004-1 3:32
Fives themes and four transitions, showing off various
soloists and sections (including a pipe organ).
13. Fragments of Confusion
Orchestral Fantasy 2004-2 3:53
Loosely A-B-A form with a driving percussive motif
(handled by the grand symphonic marimba and xylophone is rhythmic
opposition), this piece explores orchestral coloration and
pairings/juxtapositions of a shifting variety of instruments.
14. Contemplation
Orchestral Fantasy 2004-3 4:35
This work features some of the more complex scoring that
I’ve attempted, several tempo changes, several different kinds of
strings (solo and ensemble), brass, harps, percussion, woodwinds. The
high strings in the beginning are three separate high-quality solos
played together. The form of the piece is basically A-B-C-B (with some
substitution of voices on the recapitulation of "B" at the end).
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